Community crime fighters and police have met the news that they would be getting five dedicated neighbourhood safety officers (NSO) with enthusiasm and welcome.
Several wards have already had meetings with the officers, who arrived officially last week, and have taken them on walkabouts to show them where the hotspots are.
Last Tuesday, 23 September, Strandfontein Community Police Forum chair Sandy Schuter arranged a meet and greet with the NSOs, the neighourhood watches and police.
Schuter said the station’s plan was to include them in the weekly crime meetings and mass patrols, over and above their regular patrols.
The Bayview Neighbourhood Watch has also made their premises available as an office point where they can take breaks, organise themselves and take care of administration.
“Can you imagine what we can do with five extra officers,” she said.
Schuter said Ward 43 was very broad and diverse. It encompassed Strandfontein, Schaapkraal and parts of Philippi, an area which had 17 informal settlements.
Schuter said two new police officers had also started at the station, which brings the total number of new boots on the ground in the area to seven.
“Just in time for the festive season,” she said.
Schuter encouraged residents to welcome the officers if they saw them patrolling.
“If you see them, stop and chat to them. What the community wants is visibility,” she said. “Visibilty is what reduces crime.”
She said that when the community had a close working relationship with police, it strengthened police intelligence which also impacted crime.
“Many people see this as a publicity thing but me, I’m happy, because our community needs this,” she said.
She cautioned however that the officers were fresh out of training and very green and still needed to get to know the area and the hotspots as well as develop a working relationship with the existing crime fighters in the area.
“They’ll never learn the heartbeat of the area until they experience the pulse of the people on the ground,” Schuter said. “As the heartbeat of Strandfontein, we know our community’s unique needs and challenges. By joining hands with the neighbourhood safety officers, we aim to share our local knowledge and insights, enabling them to better understand the pulse of our community. Together, we can work more effectively to address concerns and build a safer environment.”
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